Son Tay Thuong: Admire the beautiful terraced rice fields during the rainy season.

During the rainy season, the terraced rice fields in Son Tay Thuong commune (Quang Ngai province) seem to don a new coat. The colors of the soil and water blend with the sky and morning sun, creating a majestic yet rustic landscape of mountains and forests. For many tourists, this is the most beautiful and profound moment in the life cycle of the rice plant in this land.

The rainy season on the slopes of Son Tay Thuong mountain.

The rainy season brings a muted color palette to the terraced rice fields, evoking the wild, rustic charm of the Cadong people. Water is channeled from high streams, winding along the hillsides, seeping into each field, covering the ground with a clear, golden layer of water that reflects the sky.

Following the rhythm of time and light throughout the day, the terraced rice fields of Son Tay Thuong continuously change color. In the morning, the fields are softened by a thin mist; at midday, the water sparkles with silver; and in the evening, the sunset paints them in golden orange and then deep purple. The curving strips of rice fields clinging to the mountain slopes then resemble ribbons of silk draped across the sky, vibrant and captivating.

Terraced rice fields and the rhythm of life of the Cadong people

Like many other mountainous regions of Vietnam, Son Tay Thuong boasts terraced rice fields stretching along the mountain slopes, bordering villages and even alongside winding small roads. Although not large in area, their gentle curves following the hilly terrain create a unique and unmistakable landscape. During the rainy season and rice harvest season, these terraced fields become a striking highlight of the entire region.

Due to the steep terrain and heavy reliance on natural water sources, the local people have to proactively channel water from streams and springs to their fields. Farming requires flexibility and high adaptability. On the waterlogged fields, the image of diligent farmers building embankments, channeling water, and tilling the soil to loosen it, preparing for the new season, creates a simple, intimate, and pure working environment.

Cultural and intellectual imprints on every plot of land.

More than just a result of traditional agricultural methods, the terraced rice fields of Son Tay Thuong possess a majestic and poetic beauty, imbued with cultural and historical value. The successive layers of fields are a testament to the community spirit, willpower, and creativity of the mountain people in their journey to overcome difficulties.

According to Mr. Pham Hong Khuyen, Chairman of Son Tay Thuong commune, terraced rice fields are a form of cultivation deeply rooted in the traditions of the highland communities of Southeast Asia. Unlike many countries in the region that often use complex water pumping systems, terraced rice fields in the mountainous regions of Vietnam, including Son Tay Thuong, are almost entirely constructed using manual methods. Each embankment, each plot of land, is the culmination of sweat, effort, and experience accumulated over many generations.

According to Mr. Khuyen, the undulating rice paddies stretching along the mountain slopes not only bring abundant harvests but also resemble works of art created by nature and man. Terraced rice paddies reflect indigenous knowledge, a harmonious relationship with nature, and are a product of intellect demonstrating the ability to conquer the mountains and forests while maintaining ecological balance.

From cultivated fields to living heritage and tourism potential

From terraced rice cultivation, the production practices in Son Tay Thuong gradually changed. Dry-sown rice, entirely dependent on forest rains, gradually faded into the past. Deforestation for cultivation was also gradually reduced. Over time, terraced rice fields became an invaluable asset, a repository and transmitter of the community's cultural soul.

The terraced rice fields here offer the potential to develop unique tourism products for ethnic minority and mountainous regions, contributing to the promotion of ecotourism and community-based tourism in the area. Visiting Son Tay Thuong during the rainy season, tourists can experience the tranquil beauty of the mountains and forests, the shimmering water reflecting the sky, and the slow but persistent pace of labor on each terrace.